Year: 2024

How Agriculture News Can Help Farmers Make Informed Decisions

Just like any other industry in the country, staying up to date with the latest news is the best way to make informed decisions about everything you do for your company and the top stories from agriculture news will shape the way you run everything from farms to technology. Agriculture is very reliant on global demand and it doesn’t matter if you’re raising cattle and hogs or farming wheat, grain, and soybeans. Producers have to have access to research to stay ahead of demand and make plans for their prices to get the most out of everything they sell throughout the year.

That’s why growers from California to Florida need a news source that gives them all the working information they need about every topic from the USDA to what the end consumer is buying for beans and corn. No matter what product you sell, information is always power and it’s the only way to improve our outlook, year after year. The only way for farmers to know what’s in store is to follow the top stories about agriculture and a trusted news source is the only way to get it.

Latest News and Updates

Staying up to date with the latest agriculture news is the only way to make the right decisions and know if your prices will be turning a profit from your cattle, corn, hogs, wheat, grain, or whatever you sell and you never want to go into a year blind. International trade is in a slump and one of the nation’s leading meat sellers is being investigated by the FSIS. That will have far-reaching impacts on cattle and grain and farmers need to know about it and adjust their plans accordingly.

It’s just one more reason that keeping up with the top stories about agriculture is going to affect your prices and give you a roadmap for what’s ahead of you. The more you know about what’s going on with cattle and wheat, the better you’ll be able to sell them and keep your farms working and producing. Growers will also improve their businesses by knowing what’s happening with industry technology and by knowing what’s happening in the news to get the best return on all the work it takes to operate.

Policy and Regulation

Policy and regulation are always at the forefront of the market and knowing what the policy makers are discussing and the regulations that are being considered is the only way to keep our farms running efficiently. Nothing changes a politician’s mind faster than his constituency’s votes and it’s important to make your voice heard by knowing what’s being considered and how it will affect your livelihood. There’s no excuse to let a bad policy get passed when you could have gotten ahead of it and been active in the decision.

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Products like corn, wheat, and grain are always on the discussion table and you have the power to change the course of the industry when you’re educated on the facts and top of the news. The sooner you find out about something that will harm farmers, the sooner you can ensure it doesn’t happen. No one else is going to going to keep producers safe, and it doesn’t matter if you’re in California or Maine.

Agribusiness and Markets

As with any business, the market dictates how it functions and it’s important to know what’s in store so you can plan accordingly and get in front of the trends before they happen. You never want to be reactive to any situations that come along, especially when you’re in the agribusiness and your entire livelihood is based on what you can produce during the growing months of your area. Whether it’s soybeans or hogs, what you see and how much you earn on it is dictated by the market and you have to know how it’s trending right now.

It’s not difficult to find out this information and it’s always best to get it as early as you can, which is why you need a source that always has your best interests in mind. The right news platform will give you the information you need without watering it down or adding its spin to the events that shape your life. Once you find that new platform, you’ll be in the best possible position to keep your business growing and flourishing in any climate.

Emerging Trends and Technologies

The emerging technologies and the trends that shape the future of agriculture should be high on your list of information to digest and there’s always a platform ready to let you know everything you need to stay on top of it. Once again, knowledge is power and you need a source of knowledge that lets you know what’s going on and what you should be looking out for as your business evolves. Farmers are a key demographic for other industries and they’re constantly putting out innovations and technologies that can make your job easier.

The only way to get in on the ground floor of the next revolution is to know that it’s coming and what it has to offer you that the competition doesn’t. Global demand informs these innovators on what’s needed but it’s the farms and agriculture that decide if they work or not. Stay on top of the news and you’ll have access to a whole new world of ways to get your product to market.



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DP World enters retail and fashion logistics with Cargo Services takeover

DP World has completed its acquisition of Cargo Services Far East, a global supply chain provider based in Hong Kong.

Cargo Services is a leader in origin services, managing the movement of goods from the factory to the customer. The company employs over 2,500 people across Greater China, Asia, Europe, South Africa, and the United States.

With this acquisition, DP World’s workforce has grown to over 115,000 employees across more than 800 global locations. By the end of the year, the company will operate over 200 freight forwarding offices, covering up to 95% of international trade flows.

“Cargo Services’ logistics expertise and global network perfectly complement our own footprint and will be yet another tool in our offering to customers. Together, we’ll create a powerful force propelling trade globally. By combining our strengths — technology, a growing logistics portfolio and strategic infrastructure – with Cargo Services’ expertise and network, we will be able to offer unparalleled value to customers seeking to strengthen existing trade ties or enter new markets. We are very excited to welcome our new colleagues, as they join us on this pivotal step in our growth journey,” stated Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman & CEO of DP World Group.

Founded in 1989, Cargo Services was one of the first foreign logistics service providers to enter the Chinese market. Over the years, it has developed a comprehensive range of solutions, including origin purchase order management, ocean freight, air freight, and warehousing, serving diverse sectors. The company also offers sophisticated supply chain management services, particularly for retail and high-fashion clients in markets like the US, UK, Europe, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. Additionally, it has expanded into specialised cruise logistics services worldwide.

“By joining DP World, we will gain access to extensive resources and expertise, allowing us to continue delivering top-tier freight-forwarding and logistics services that our customers demand. With a shared vision and strategy, I am confident that our respective teams will come together seamlessly to deliver growth,” commented John Lau, Group Managing Director of Cargo Services Group.

The acquisition is now officially complete, with full integration planned over the coming months. To support a seamless transition, John Lau will stay with the company, taking on a senior leadership role within DP World.




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SMM readies to open its doors

The 31st SMM – the world’s largest shipping expo – opens its doors today across 90,000 sq m of exhibition space in Hamburg.

With shipyard orderbooks in Asia extending through late into the 2020s, and billion dollar-plus newbuild contracts raining in, the German show is ready to break records this week.

SMM convenes at a time when the global merchant fleet is ageing and in need of renewal. Data from Xclusiv Shipbrokers shows over 20% of bulkers and 34% for tankers in terms of dwt, over 30% in terms of teu for containers, and about 29% in terms of cu m for gas carriers are over 16 years old.

The 31st SMM will focus on the maritime energy transition and the digital transformation with more than 2,000 international exhibitors from 70 nations packing out the 12 exhibition halls.

Ticket sales are reported to be very strong with organisers anticipating an attendance of more than 40,000.

Comparing the markets between this SMM and the last edition in 2022, analysts at Clarksons Research note that their newbuild price index is up 16.5% since the last SMM and now sits less than 1% off the all-time 2008 high.

Over 50% of global tonnage on the orderbook is now alternative fuel capable whereas at SMM 2022 this figure stood at 40%, Clarksons data shows.

Splash will be bringing readers all the top news from Hamburg this week.



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Posted on Author Categories Seafood

Nuffield Australia announces scholars for 2025

The 2025 Nuffield Scholars were announced earlier this week.

FROM ESG reporting to lychees; regenerative agriculture to beef – Nuffield Australia’s latest crop of 25 scholarship recipients were announced at a dinner in Tasmania on Monday night.

They will spend 15 weeks over the coming 18 months travelling the world, researching the latest developments in their industries before sharing their findings with their peers.

Nuffield CEO and 2013 Scholar Jodie Redcliffe said she was proud of the calibre of this year’s scholars.

“Our 2025 scholars represent the future of Australian agriculture,” she said.

“Their dedication to improving farming practices and their eagerness to learn from global leaders will undoubtedly lead to significant advancements within our industry.

“We are excited to see how their experiences will shape the future of agriculture in Australia.”

Five scholarships funded by the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund are among those announced. These scholars each have a research topic that will help farmers adopt new ways of managing dry conditions for longer.

“We know droughts have a huge impact on farms, but they also have a significant bearing on the health of rural communities more broadly,” Jodie said.

“The Future Drought Fund’s scholars announced tonight will tackle the challenges drought poses across rural Australia.”

Each 2025 Nuffield Scholar receives a $40,000 bursary to invest in travel and research. They will visit, learn from, and collaborate with some of the world’s leading agricultural businesses and research institutions.

“For more than 70 years Nuffield Scholars have travelled the world, bringing home the latest intelligence, farming practices and developments to share with their peers. Their scholarship is an investment in themselves and their capacity to lead their business, their community and their industry by widening their knowledge and networks,” Jodie said.

2025 Nuffield Scholars

NSW

  • Jock Barnett from Delungra, near Warialda. Supported by the Future Drought Fund, Jock will study how expanding and diversifying farming enterprises affects drought preparedness.
  • Campbell Chesworth from Rawsonville, near Dubbo. Supported by RASF and Nuffield Australia’s NSW Alumni, Campbell will study ways to build sustainability into farms’ bottom lines by embracing circular economy innovations.
  • Nikki Gilder from Merriwa. Supported by the Yulgilbar Foundation, Nikki will study ways to empower women to be on-farm decision makers, strengthening the productivity and climate resilience of Australian farms.
  • Maggie Jarrett from Orange. Supported by Agrifutures, Maggie will study how small businesses in the agriculture industry can capitalise on environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting.
  • Alice Jorgensen from Myall Creek, near Bingara. Supported by Woolworths, Alice will study ways to help farmers transition from annual fodder cropping to perennial pasture systems to boost their farm’s resilience to climate variability.
  • Kate Lumber from Moree. Supported by Cotton Australia and the Cotton Research and Development Corporation, Kate will study ways Australia’s cotton industry can use water more efficiently to help strengthen resilience in a changing climate.
  • Iain MacLennan from Orange. Supported by Hort Innovation’s Apple and Pear Fund, Iain will study how apple orchards can operate profitably and sustainably when accounting for carbon.

Northern Territory

  • Kari Moffat from Darwin. Supported by the Future Drought Fund, Kari will study the influence sustainability commitments have on agricultural business decision making to thrive in the face of drought and other pressures.
  • Trudi Oxley from Katherine. Receiving a Northern Pastoral Scholarship, Trudi will study ways to build soil organic matter in tropical environments.
  • Tarun Richards from Darwin. Supported by ANZ and the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, Tarun will study ways for farmers to share the costs and benefits of environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting with the supply chain and first
    nations communities.

Queensland

  • Cailan Byrnes from Tolga. Supported by Meat and Livestock Australia, Cailan will study developing cost-effective beef grading systems with innovative technology to optimise eating quality.
  • James Carter from Brisbane. Receiving a Northern Pastoral Scholarship, James will study how technology has the potential to drive profit for producers and processors in a collaborative approach.
  • Krystal Caton from South Yaamba, near Rockhampton. Supported by the Sylvia and Charles Viertel Charitable Foundation, Krystal will study post-harvest opportunities for lychees.
  • David Woods from Toobeah, near Goondiwindi. Supported by GrainCorp, David will study why, despite increasing investment, rural Australia’s mental health challenges are not improving.

South Australia

  • Claire Catford from Halbury. Supported by the Grains Research and Development Corporation, Claire will study thriving farmers and vibrant communities.
  • Lucy Dodd from Bordertown. Supported by the Future Drought Fund, Lucy will study how the free-range poultry industry can be better supported in Australia for on-farm diversification for resilience.
  • Paul Evans from Streaky Bay. Supported by the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, Paul will study whether a consistent supply of higher quality oysters can be achieved by combining farming methods and technologies.

Tasmania

  • Connor Wass from Kingston. Supported by PSP Investments, Connor will study what roadblocks exist for smaller farms to invest in technology and help develop a digital technology roadmap.
  • Tom Youl from Killiecrankie, on Flinders Island. Supported by the JM Roberts Charitable Trust and Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, Thomas will study alternative fodder conservation methods and other ways to make farms more resilient.

Victoria

  • Joe Druce from Baynton. Supported by the William Buckland Foundation, Joe will study how various capital options can enable sustainable business growth in the mixed livestock sector.
  • Tom Polkinghorne from Dunkeld. Supported by the Natural Resources Conservation Trust, Tom will study how livestock producers, under increasing pressure to be productive and efficient, can rise to this challenge while achieving environmental outcomes.
  • Hamish Robertson from Hamilton. Supported by the Future Drought Fund, Hamish will study whether wool production could be more efficient to promote resilience in dry times.
  • Thanh Truong from Melbourne. Supported by Rabobank and Nuffield Australia’s Victorian Alumni, Thanh will study the opportunities social media can bring to Australian growers, researching its best practice uses in marketing strategies to increase engagement with the sector.

Western Australia

  • Tyson Cattle from Perth. Supported by the Future Drought Fund, Tyson will study whether the $500-600 million Australian agriculture spends on advocacy and representation each year is money well spent, and what lessons the industry can learn from the rest of the world.

ACT

  • Nuffield Australia and CSIRO have an established partnership that promotes understanding between Australian scientific research and the agriculture industry. In 2025, Dr Jonathan Richetti will be the eighth CSIRO scientist to participate in key components of the Nuffield program: the Awards Dinner and National Conference, the Contemporary Scholars Conference (CSC) and the Global Focus
    Program (GFP).

Source: Nuffield Australia





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Posted on Author Categories Meat

Boparan Private Office to buy 2 Sisters European operations for €200m

POULTRY giant Ranjit Singh has announced the sale of the European operations of 2 Sisters Food Group to his Private office for a fee in excess of €200m.

The arms-length transaction will strengthen 2 Sisters Food Group’s balance sheet and will enable it to reduce net debt levels to the lowest point in over a decade, the company said.

See also: Sainsbury’s launches’ development group’ for egg farmers in its supply chain

The European poultry business – which trades as 2 Sisters Storteboom and employs 2,700 people – will join the ranks of Bernard Matthews, Banham Poultry and Elkes Biscuits in the Private Office, along with Mr Boparan’s portfolio of restaurant businesses.

It is currently part of 2 Sisters parent company Boparan Holdings Limited (BHL).

BHL’s current Bond funding arrangements expire within the next 12 months.

This latest cash injection will give the business options for refinancing when the time comes to address corporate funding in the coming months, a statement said.

Mr Boparan said the money raised would start a ‘Next Generation’ investment programme, heavily focused on “ambitious sustainability goals and investment in food processing technologies”.

Mr Boparan said: “This is a significant and transformational deal and unlocks many opportunities for the future, so we are very pleased to announce an agreement has been reached.

“All my companies will benefit as it creates a stronger, more agile group of businesses and provides a platform for an unprecedented level of internal investment.”

“As well strengthening BHL, it gives the European poultry business, under the BPO, a dedicated regional focus on its European markets, unlocking undoubted growth opportunities through a focus on quality, animal welfare and sustainability.”



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Posted on Author Categories Poultry

Functional finishes for confectionery

Using fancy finishes to create an attractive, good-enough-to-eat product is a core consideration for manufacturers when developing luxurious chocolates and candies​. And while confectionery’s success has long hinged on the popularity of permissible indulgence, today’s consumers are calling for better-for-you, healthier alternatives.

Now a new study suggests that confectioners’ glazes can achieve both.

Published in the Food Systems journal in July 2024, the research (Technological aspects and requirements needed in raw materials to increase their nutritional value​)​ set out to develop technological methods of fruit and vegetable confectioners’ glaze production that would increase the dietary fibre content and lower its added sugar.

Boosting nutritional values

Image: Getty/Funwithfood

To traditional glaze – usually made with a combination of fat and sugar – the researchers added samples of raspberry, apple, carrot, beet and vegetable powders.

During the study, the researcher identified that the glaze’s yield stress increased as the fruit and vegetable powder content increased from 3% to 15%. The exact amount this increased by differed depending on the ingredient’s fat-absorbing capacity.

The study also noted that adding these additive powders changed the glaze’s crystallisation characteristic. As the solidification temperature decreased by 1-2°C, the crystallisation duration increased by 27%- 40% compared to its control sample. The end-product contained a dietary fibre content of 9 grams per 100 grams and reduced the amount of added sugar within its formulation, meaning glazes can now be considered a useful player in the reformulation for health equation.

Other ways brands can boost functionality​

As well as looking to reformulate using functional finishes, manufacturers have other methods for improving the nutritional value of their products. Here’s how:

  • Add seeds, nuts and dried fruit to confectionery goods as finishing touches
  • Include prebiotics and probiotics​ in their final product’s formulation
  • Use sweet proteins​ to increase confectionery’s nutritional value. Brands like Luker Chocolate and Oobli are using ingredients like pea, chicory roots and tapioca fibres.
  • Increase the quantity of fibre in confectionery items. Brands are tapping into novel ways to create fibre too, with the first ‘protein out of thin air’ launching this year​.
  • Opting for vegan-friendly confectionery choices by using plant-based ingredients. Kakoa and Candy Kittens have launched vegan confectionery ranges while others like Lindt are creating plant-based alternatives to their classic products. Lindt launched its Lindor truffles plant-based range​ earlier this year.

Source: Food Systems

doi: 10.21323/2618-9771-2024-7-2-268-275​
“Technological aspects and requirements to raw materials for increasing the nutritional value of glaze”

Author: EV Mazukabzova​



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DirectSens expands from lactose sensing to obesity-related diagnostics with XpressGT

Austria-based biosensor manufacturer DirectSens GmbH specializes in high-precision sensing technology for the dairy industry. In particular, the company’s LactoSens and OatSens lactose and sugar analysis tools enable manufacturers to quickly and precisely identify the level of lactose and glucose and maltose, respectively, during batch testing. Results are out within minutes, and both devices have been externally-certified to confirm their effectiveness and reliability1​.

“LactoSens is optimized for detecting low levels of lactose in dairy products whereas OatSens is the first rapid onsite method for detecting glucose and maltose in oat drinks,” explained David Stadler, innovation manager at DirectSens. “Both methods are already established in industry [and] can be used onsite – for example, on the production floor and run by operators without lab skills. The sample preparation is a simple dilution with a ready to use provided buffer. And the results are ready within 3 minutes being as accurate as gold standard method ion-chromatography.”

Here’s how it works: the person carrying out the test needs a ‘reader’ device, such as a QR code scanner, as well as a computer and the biosensor assay kit (including biosensors, buffer), pipettes and tips and vials. The dairy or oat product is diluted with dilution buffer; the reader and QR code scanner are connected with the computer, and the software is started. After scanning the QR code, the sensor is inserted into the reader, the diluted sample is applied to the sensor, and after a minute, the result is displayed.

“LactoSens can be used for all different types of dairy products from liquid (like milk) to semi solid (e.g. yoghurt, cream cheese) or solid (cheese), powder, also products containing flavours (e.g. milk coffee) or fruit preparations (fruit yogurts),” added Stadler.

But how difficult is it to ensure lactose-free dairy is truly lactose-free?

“Depending on the country, there are different lactose free levels established – some by law, some by industry and consumer demands,” Stadler said. “In Europe, most producers of lactose free dairy products stick to the 0.01% level although there is no official regulation in place.

 “The allowable level for not causing effects differs individually also depending on the portion size.”

Lactose-free milk typically contains a lot of glucose and galactose – about 2.4 % each – as a result from the hydrolysis of lactose.

“The hydrolysis process is influenced by different parameters like initial lactose concentration, temperature, concentration of lactase enzyme, time as well as human errors during production process,” he added. “The only way to make sure that the dairy products are lactose is testing the final product for batch release.”

Besides LactoSens, several other methods for testing low-lactose exist, but these show interference with the high amounts of monosaccharides (glucose, galactose) or other matrix components and thus aren’t as accurate, we were told.

While testing lactose levels is important to ensure a product is suitable for consumption by those with an intolerance, oatmilk makers have another issue: controlling the levels of sugar.

“During oat drink production, starch is mainly hydrolyzed to the sugars glucose and maltose,” Stadler explained. “These two sugars determine the sugar content and are crucial for the sweetness of an oat drink.

“As consumer preferences are very diverse, there are many different variations and combinations of sugar levels. For sugar-free oat drinks, the overall level should not exceed 0.5% (depending on local regulations) whereas regular oat drinks show up 6 or 7% of sugar, or even more. The sugar profile can vary from high-glucose levels, which give a very sweet taste, to high-maltose levels which result in a milder sweetness.”

How are ‘lactose-free’ claims regulated in the US, the EU and the UK?

In the US, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has no formal definition for ‘lactose free’, ‘low lactose’, or ‘lactose reduced’. This means a ‘lactose-free’ or ‘low-lactose’ product may still contain low levels of lactose.

The FDA suggests that manufacturers may use a voluntary ‘lactose-free’ claim to refer to products without lactose and must provide labels that are ‘truthful’ and ‘not misleading’. Trade body US Dairy recommends that a lactose-free product should not contain any lactose and a lactose-reduced product should have meaningful reduction.

There are currently no EU-wide rules on the use of lactose-free or lactose-reduced claims, meaning that manufacturers set their own management thresholds for labeling products suitable for people with an intolerance.

This means the level of protection offered to consumers vary across the continent, and the only lactose-free claim that is regulated at European and UK level is for infant formula (a standard of 10mg per 100kcal).

According to the Food and Drink Federation, a ‘free-from’ claim must be relevant and based on a comprehensive risk assessment accompanied by rigorous controls (which may include analytical testing) to ensure that the claim is valid and not misleading.

From milk to metabolic disease diagnostics

As reported in OutsourcingPharma​, DirectSens recently expanded into developing a testing tool for diagnosing obesity-related disorders – with cost effectiveness and speed of obtaining results being key selling points.

“During a technical development project, we identified the potential to develop sensing technology for a biomarker with significant potential in diagnosing obesity-related disorders,” Stadler told us. “Clinician feedback revealed an unmet need in this area, especially since this biomarker is often overlooked due to the lack of high-throughput measurement methods.”

Specifically, the product – XpressGT – addresses critical gaps in diagnosing insulin resistance, a key factor in conditions like gestational diabetes, endometriosis, type 2 diabetes, liver disease and obesity-related disorders. The tool does so by monitoring a biomarker in diabetes that correlates with insulin resistance, impaired glucose tolerance and gestational diabetes. And while there are three other testing methods available to physicians – notably, the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) – none are as cost-effective and quick to carry out and obtain results from.

“XpressGT is expected to deliver GDM test results in 8 minutes, significantly faster than the 2-hour OGTT process, which also involves multiple blood draws and lab analysis,” Stadler said. “Our first version will be used in centralized labs, with a future point-of-care device offering the same 8-minute result time directly to patients.”

While the kit was launched as a research-use-only test in August, the company is already exploring its use as laboratory developed test (LDT).

“Our next steps include developing a CE-marked and FDA-cleared IVD version, and we are actively seeking clinical partners to accelerate the regulatory approval process,” Stadler concluded.

Sources:

1. LactoSens R was granted AOAC official method of analysis. NordVal certified LactoSens R and LactoSens R for NOLA Fit. All methods ground on thorough internal validations using chromatographic methods as reference methods.



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Posted on Author Categories Dairy

Indonesia consumption is growing – Grain Central

The Bogasari flour mill in Jakarta is the world’s biggest, and the volume customer for Australia’s biggest wheat market.

INDONESIA is the world’s fourth most populous country and the largest archipelagic nation on the planet, with over 18,000 islands and islets, of which around 6,000 are inhabited. While agriculture is a significant part of the country’s economy, directly supplying food ingredients and providing the main source of employment in rural regions, Indonesia does not produce enough rice to feed its population and imports all of the republic’s wheat requirements.

The Indonesian landmass is largely unsuited to wheat production, with other more appropriate crops, such as palm oil, offering farmers much higher returns. On the steeper mountainous terrain, of which there is plenty, rice becomes a far more practical option. Indonesia is the world’s largest producer of palm oil and the third-largest rice producer.

The nation’s exploding population, new flour-based food trends, and diet diversification are translating into increased demand for wheat flour, which is music to the ears of the domestic flour milling industry. The sector currently includes 30 mills with an installed capacity of around 14.4Mt, commanding a 99.9pc domestic market share.

A total of 23 flour mills are located on the island of Java, the geographic and economic centre of Indonesia and home to more than half its population, five on Sumatra, and two on Sulawesi. Flour consumption is growing so quickly that four new mills are expected to come online in 2024-25.

The Indonesian government only permits flour mills to import wheat, restricting imports by traders and stockfeed mills by way of a 5pc import duty for non-human consumption products. It will only approve wheat imports for stockfeed use when deemed necessary and only through assignments to state-owned enterprises managing government food reserves, such as the National Logistics Agency.

Nevertheless, demand for imported wheat flour increased by 44.7pc in the 2023/24 marketing year (July to June) to 75,000t of wheat equivalent compared to just under 52,000t of wheat equivalent in 2022/23. Indonesia sources most of its imported wheat flour from Turkey, which enjoyed a 91.1pc market share last year, followed by Vietnam with a 6.2pc cut of the import task.

Indonesia’s wheat imports in 2023/24 increased by 33.4pc year-on-year from 9.45Mt to a record 12.6Mt, according to trade data analysed by the Jakarta-based team at the Foreign Agricultural Service of the US Department of Agriculture. The notable rise in wheat imports reflects a growing preference for wheat as a cheaper food staple alternative to rice, and higher corn prices forcing stockfeed mills to reduce the proportion of corn in their feed ration in favour of wheat as the primary energy source.

Australia’s contribution to Indonesia’s 2023/24 wheat import program was 4.11Mt or 32.6pc of the total. That constituted 18.3pc of Australia’s total wheat shipments over the 12-month period. The biggest months were August and July 2023, with 767,000t and 637,000Mt, respectively. Since October 1, 2020, Australia has exported 99Mt of wheat, with sales to Indonesia coming to 16.1Mt, or 16.3pc of the total program. Indonesian imports of Russian wheat increased almost tenfold from 168,000t in 2022/23 to 1.6Mt in 2023/24.

According to the Indonesian Flour Mills Association, the high price of rice in the domestic market has increased the consumption of instant noodles, especially by lower-income families. Furthermore, the growing Indonesian middle-income cohort, which currently accounts for around 20pc of the population, is dominated by Generation Z, who like to try new products and experiences. More upper-end restaurants, noodle stalls serving creative plating, and innovative bakeries offering new and globally trending flour-based food products are also popping up nationwide.

The growing consumption pushed food sector demand 8.2pc higher to 9.2Mt of wheat equivalent in 2023/24, compared to the 8.5Mt of wheat equivalent utilised in 2022/23. And with a continuation of the consumer preference swing to wheat-flour based food, FAS expects the upward trend to be sustained in 2024/25, calling the food sector intake 3.3pc higher again at 9.5Mt.

Wheat is also an increasingly critical ingredient in stockfeed rations. Approximately 90pc goes into the intensive poultry industry, with aquaculture accounting for 6pc and cattle and swine the remaining 4pc. Indonesia’s feed mill sector consists of 110 feed mills in 10 provinces, 81 of which are on Java, the world’s most populous island. In 2023, the total installed poultry feed capacity was approximately 27.6Mt, on par with the previous year, and the mills are reported to be running at 70-75pc of total capability.

Current forecasting from the poultry association suggests a 6pc increase in the flock over the next 12 months. A pronounced swing from corn to wheat to meet carbohydrate requirements in poultry feed formulations saw wheat consumption for stockfeed almost double from 1.1Mt in 2022/23 to 2.1Mt last season. FAS forecasts it to rise by another 4.8pc in 2024/25 to 2.2Mt, driven by high corn prices and the burgeoning poultry sector demand.

Indonesia’s record wheat import program in the recently concluded 2023/24 season saw carry-out stocks increase by 900,000t to 2.1Mt, notwithstanding the significant increase in internal consumption. According to FAS, the higher wheat carry-in this marketing year will likely see Indonesian wheat imports drop by 600,000t to 12Mt, maintaining a similar carry-out at the end of 2024/25, despite the aforementioned 400,000t increase in domestic demand across both the flour milling and stockfeed sectors.

Assuming Australia maintains a similar proportion of the task, that pencils the land down under in for approximately 3.9Mt of wheat shipments to its northern neighbour this season, especially with a smaller crop and lower exportable surplus in Russia and production troubles brewing in Argentina.



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Posted on Author Categories Crops

Lester:  “August Has Found A New Equilibrium” – Beer Business Daily – beer industry news and numbers

Lester:  “August Has Found A New Equilibrium”

Dear Client:  The latest Beer Purchasers’ Index from the NBWA for the month of August saw total beer register an index of 40, bringing a five-month streak of 50 or higher BPI readings to a close.  Looking at beer segments, the month was slim on expansion or improvement. Imports were the only segment to hit … Continue reading “Lester:  “August Has Found A New Equilibrium””

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Posted on Author Categories Alcohol
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